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| | Academic Programs
For questions, send e-mail to biostat@pitt.edu. The biostatistics program provides for concentrations in two areas: biostatistics (MS, PhD) and public health statistics (MPH, DrPH). The Biostatistics Program is an academic degree program for students with a background in mathematics and strong interest in biology and public health. The program emphasizes statistical theory and methods so that students are prepared to: (1) be effective statistical collaborators in interdisciplinary studies, (2) take leadership roles in the design and execution of studies, and (3) contribute to the methodological development of biostatistics. The Public Health Statistics Program is a professional degree program that prepares students with a prior professional degree and/or background in health (physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, veterinarians, or health administrators) to understand and apply statistical methods to health problems in their field. The public health track has somewhat less emphasis on statistical theory than the biostatistics track and more emphasis on the appropriate application of statistical methods to health problems, and administrative aspects of health science organizations. Upon completion of the MS degree, the graduate will be able to: - Quantitatively address health problems by appropriate problem definition, study design, data collection, data management, statistical analysis (including statistical computing), and interpretation of results.
- Demonstrate mastery of the theory and concepts underlying various statistical methods.
- To understand and implement innovative statistical approaches emerging in the literature to health and public health issues.
- Communicate the results of biostatistical analyses to individuals with varying degrees of statistical knowledge.
- Apply the basic principles of research design to address problems in public health.
- Recognize strengths and weaknesses of proposed approaches, including alternative designs, data sources, and analytic methods.
- Determine and identify the necessary data and data structures that are best suited to address public health issues, program planning, and program evaluation.
Return to top Upon completion of the MPH degree, the graduate will be able to: - Quantitatively address health problems in their field of expertise by appropriate definition, study design, data collection, data management, statistical analysis (including statistical computing), and interpretation of results.
- Communicate the results of biostatistical analyses to public health leaders and practitioners with varying degrees of statistical knowledge.
- Apply the basic principles of research design to address problems in public health.
- Recognize strengths and weaknesses of proposed approaches, including alternative designs, data sources, and analytic methods.
- Determine and identify the necessary data and data structures that are best suited to address public health issues, program planning, and program evaluation.
Return to top Upon completion of the PhD degree, the graduate will have competency in the same areas as the MS student, and in addition be able to: - Develop new statistical methods and/or adapt existing methods to new problems.
- Contribute to the body of knowledge in the field of biostatistics.
Return to top Upon completion of the DrPH degree, the graduate will have competency in the same areas as the MS student, and in addition be able to: - Plan and execute an innovative study of an important problem in their area of professional expertise.
- Contribute to the body of knowledge and/or the methodological rigor in their professional field.
- Describe relevant issues to public health, including the biological, environmental, behavioral, and policy factors that affect the health of populations.
For all students, data analysis, computing skills and methodologic understanding are routinely assessed through data analyses and projects completed as part of the coursework. The primary assessment of the integrative problem solving skills, methodologic contributions, and communications skills is the graduate committee's evaluation of the written master's thesis or doctoral dissertation and the student's oral defense. |  | © 2001-2005
Dept. of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh
Program Contact:
Registrar, biostat@pitt.edu
Webmaster:
Susan Grasky, BSIS |
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Department of Biostatistics, 130 Desoto Street, 311 Parran Hall,
Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261
Phone: (412) 624-3022 Fax: (412) 624-2183 Revised on May 3, 2006 | | |
